Washing machine



May 3, 1938. A. R. LoFsTRAND, SR 2,116,155

WASHING `MACHINE Filed Deo. 14, 1936 3 Sheets-Sheerl l May 3, 1938. A, R. LoFsTRAND, SR

WASHING MACHINE 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Deo. 14, 1936 gmc/who@ ndersj wwwa/1,1

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May 3, 1938..v A. R. LOESTRAND, SR 2,116,155

WASHING MACHINE Filed Dec. 14, 1956 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented May 3, 1938 UNITED` STATES l PATENT GFFiCE 9 Claims.

This invention relates to a washing machine designed primarily for. washing, rinsing, sterilizing and drying drinking glasses, but it is to be understood that a machine, in accordance with :this invention is to be employed for any purpose for which it may be found applicable.

The invention aims to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a machine of the class referred to including a latchable vertically movable combined top brush holding, carrying and setting mechanism for resiliently retaining a group of top brushes in overlapping relation with respect to the closed ends of a group of drinking glasses while theseV latter are being subjected to 1:51` washing, rinsing and sterilizing operations.

The invention further aims to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a machine of the class referred tc'including a vertically movable combined top brush holding, carrying and setting mechanism capable of `being latched in its upper or inactive position and in its lower or active position.

The .invention further aims to provide, in a The invention further aims to provide, in al manner as hereinafter set forth, a machine of the class referred to including an open top combined rinsing and sterilizing compartment for receiving a group of washed glasses and a shiftable lid lfor normally closing said open top when `the compartment is not in use.

The invention further aims to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a machine of the class referred to including an open top washing compartment, a normally closed combined rinsing andsterilizing compartment, a trolley structure 'for successively positioning a basket of glasses over the washing and combined rinsing and sterilizing compartments to` be selectively lowered in the latter, and means operated from the trolley structure for automatically opening the top of the combined rinsing and sterilizing compartment when the trolley structureis shifted from over the top of the washing compartment to over the top of the combined rinsing and -sterilizing compartment.

The invention further aims to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a machine of the class referred to including an elevator element for supporting and lowering a basket con- ,.taining a group `of inverted drinking glasses to be acted upon, and a latchable vertically movablecombined top brush holding, carrying and setting mechanism carried and guided by and sli'dable relative to said element, and with said mechanisms acting to resiliently retain a group 5 of top brushes in overlapping relation with respect to the upper ends of the glasses of the group of glasses when these latter are lowered by the elevator element.

The invention further aims to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a machine of the class referred to which is comparatively simple in its construction and arrangement, strong, durable, compact, readily assembled, thoroughly efficient in its use, conveniently repaired when occasion requires, and comparatively inexpensive to build.

To the above ends essentially, and to others which may hereinafter appear, the invention consists of the novel construction, combination and arrangement `of parts as will be more speciiically referred to and are as illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein is shown an embodiment of the invention, but it is to be understood that changes, variations and modifications y may be resorted to which fall within the scope of the invention as claimed.

In the drawings:-

Figure 1 is a fragmentary view in elevation looking towards one end 0f the machine, 30

Figure 2 is a fragmentary view in `elevation looking towards the front of the machine,

Figure 3 is a section' on line 3-3, Figure 1, Figure 4 is a top plan view of the base of the trolley structure,

Figure 5 is a top plan view of the base of the elevator element,

Figure 6 is a fragmentary view in top plan of the top brush holding frame forming an element of the latchable vertically movable combined top brush holding, carrying and setting mechanism,`

Figure 7 is a section on line 'l--'l, Figure 3,

Figure 8 is a 4top plan View of the elevating and lowering lever forming an element of the mechanism aforesaid,

Figure 9 is a sectional detail of the cross head of the elevator element,

Figure l0 is a side elevation of a modified form of a pull-up means for the elevator element, and

Figure l1 is a fragmentary detail, in side elevation, of the means shown in Figure 10.

The machine includes a lower structure l formed in a manner to provide washing, combined rinsing and sterilizing and heated air re- 55 ceiving compartments 2, 3 and 4 respectively. Preferably, the compartments 2 and 3 will be constructed and arranged in the same manner as the washing and rinsing compartments of Patent No. 2,052,835, with this exception that the combined rinsing and sterilizing compartment 3 has its top normally closed by a shiftable lid forming no part of structure I and which will be hereinafter referred to. The heated air receiving compartment 4 will be constructed and arranged in the same manner as the heated air compartment of the patent aforesaid with this exception that at its top it is formed with a vertically disposed hollow extension S open at its bottom and closed at its outer side, front and rear. The inner side 6a of extension 3 has its upper end arranged below the top of the extension. The side 6a inclines upwardly from its upper to its lower end and provides a water drain. The top 6b of extension E5 is formed with a depressed apertured portion 'I' disposed at a downwardly inclination towards and merges into the upper end of the inner side (la. The portion 'l is for the same purpose as and is substituted for the apertured plate designated sixty-nine of the patent aforesaid. The inner side Ga of the extension 3 has its lower end bottom arranged above the compartment 3 to form a slot or passageway 6C for the lid 5 when the latter is shifted in a direction to open the top of compartment 3. The lower structure I will be provided therein with a like arrangement of elements such as shown within the compartments designated fourteen, thirty-seven and forty-seven of such patent. The compartment 2 of structure I is shown as containing a body of water 3 and lower rotatable brushes 9. These brushes function for the same purpose as and are to be constructed, arranged and operated in the sam-e manner as the lower brushes, designated fifty-four of the aforesaid patent. No claim is made in this application to the brushes El and their arrangement.

The top of structure I at one end thereof has secured thereto transversely thereof a fiat member Il] constituting a stop for a purpose to be referred to and which is arranged in parallel spaced relation to the inner side 6a of extension 6. Secured upon the top of the rear walls of the compartments 2, 3 and extending outwardly therefrom is a flat member I2 rabbeted lengthwise of its upper face. Secured upon the top of the front walls of the compartments 2, 3 and extending outwardly therefrom is a flat member I3 rabbeted lengthwise of its upper face. The

.members l2, I3 are oppositely disposed and extend from the inner side IiEL of the extension 5 to the inner side edge of the member I Il. The members I2, i3 form front and rear tracks.

The lid 5 is hinged to the lower end of the inner side of a trolley structure I4l and normally closes the open top of the compartment 3. If the basket of glasses is to be transported from over the compartment 2 to over the top of the compartment 3, the trolley structure is shifted to the left moving the lid 5 in a like direction. As the trolley structure I4 is moved to the left the lid 5 will enter the upper portion of the compartment 4 through the passageway 6c whereby the compartment 3 will be open at its top. When the machine is not in use, the lid 5 may be folded upwardly as indicated in dotted lines (Figure 2) and suitably latched in folded position to the trolley structure I4.

The structure I4 includes a frame-like base I5 (Figure 4) of rectangular contour which is disposed in transverse relation with the top of the structure I. The base I5 includes a pair of oppositely disposed side members I6, II of angle shape Icross section and each formed of an inner horizontally disposed leg I8 and an outer vertically disposed leg IS (Figure 1). Merging into the ends of side members I6, I'I is a pair of oppositely disposed end members 23, 2I of angle shape cross section and each formed of an inner horizontally disposed leg 22 and a vertically disposed outer leg 23 (Figure `2). The legs I8 and 22 merge into each other and substantially at the points of mergence the base is formed with inwardly opening inclined gullets 24, 25, 23, 2'I (Figure 4) for a purpose to be referred to. The intermediate portions of the legs I 9 and 22 of the members 2Q, 2I are inset as at 28 (Figurel). The leg I8 of the member I6 at each of its ends is formed with an opening and which are indicated at 29, 3D. The leg 22 of the end member 2l is provided at each end with an opening and such openings are indicated at 3I, 32. The purpose of the openings 29 to 32 inclusive will be referred to, The inset portion of the leg 23 of the member 2B has formed integral with its inner face a pair of spaced parallel stub shafts 33, 34. The inset portion of the leg 23 of the member 2! has formed integral with its inner face a pair of spaced parallel inwardly extending stub shafts 35, 36. The shafts 33, 34 endwise align in parallel spaced relation with the stub shafts 35, 33 respectively. The non-inset portions of one leg 23 are indicated at 3l, 38 and the non-inset portions of the other leg 23 are indicated at 39, 4B (Figure 4). Anchored to the out-er face of the non-inset portions 31, 38, 33 and 40 by the holdfast means 4I are depending brackets 42. Each bracket consists of a horizontally disposed intermediate arm 43, a vertically disposed upper arm 44 merging at its lower end into the inner end of the arm 43 and a depending vertically disposed lower arm 45 merging at its upper end into the outer end of the arm'43 (Figure l). The arm 43 offsets outwardly the arm 45 relative to the arm 44. The arm 44 abuts a non-inset portion and is fixed therewith by the holdfast means 4I. The arm 43 extends outwardly for the purpose of positioning the arm 45 outwardly adjacent a rabbeted member I2 or I3 (Figure 4). The brackets depend below the rabbeted members I2, I3, and the arms 45 thereof are substantially of equi-lateral triangular contour and with the base or wider end of the latter merging into an arm 43. Fixed to the lower end of each arm 45 is an inwardly extending stub shaft 46 which is arranged below. a rabbeted member I 2 or I3. The stub shafts 46 are arranged in spaced pairs and the shafts of each pair are disposed in endwise aligned spaced relation. Revolubly mounted and secured on the stub shafts 33, 34, 35 and 36 are the traction rollers 4l. Revolubly mounted on each stub shaft 46 is a combined retaining and friction roller 48 disposed directly below a rabbeted member I2 or I3.

The rabbeting of the members I2 and I3 on their upper faces provides each of said members with a low inner part 49, a high outer part 53 and a vertical shoulder 5I separating said parts (Figure 7). In other words, the rabbet forms a member I2 or I3 with an upper face having a high surface and a low surface separated by the shoulder 5i. The rollers 4'I travel on the low parts 43 of the members I2, I3 and the shoulders 5I arrest the transverse shifting of the trolley structure relative to the top of the structure I.

The rollers lll are arranged below andtraveh against the lower face of the high parts l50- of` the members l2, I3 and arrest the upwardmovement of the trolley structure or mother words in connection with the rollers 411, they slidably secure the trolley structure ori-its tracks which are formed by the low parts l5 of the members I2, I3. Y l

Secured in the openings 29 to 32 inclusive are vertically disposed sockets 52 in which the lowerends of vertically disposed standards 53 are anchored. Secured upon the upper ends ofthe standards 53 is a rectangular top plate 55 formed lengthwise thereof with a V-shaped slot at the rear of the structure I4. Positioned against the said rear standards 53 `is the front wall of a vertically disposed casing 58 havingits sides 58a (Figure 3) extended forwardly with re- -spect to the said rear standards 53 and secured to the outer side faces of the side members it, l1 of the base `l5 andthe side edges ofthe plate 5t. The part 51 of'plate 54 has xed thereto the upper ends of a pair of spacediparallel depending vertically disposed guide rods 591"l consisting of a vertically movable carrier62l (Figure 5) in the form of a rectangular frame having its side members indicated at 63, 54 and its end members at 55, 65. At the corners of the carrier it is formed with outwardly directed inclined ears 51, (i8, 55 and 1i] for passage respectively through the gullets 24, 25, 26 and 21 of the is raised and base I5 when the element 5l lowered. The said ears are formed with openings 1I for the passage of the lower end terminal por- `tions of the hanger rods 12 (Figures 1 and 3) which bear against the lower face of the ears. The rods 12 are arranged in pairs; The rods of each pair of rods 'l2 are disposed in parallel spaced relation and are secured at thelrupper terminal portions to and adjacent the ends of a combined coupling and guide bar 13 disposed lengthwise of the trolley. structure lll; Each bar 13 (Figure i) includes an intermediate part 'it merging at its ends into vertically disposed sleeves 15 formed integral with oppositely extending arms 15 merging into semi-annular guides 11 (Figure ,2) riding against a pair of standards 53 (Figures 1 and 2) below the sleeves 55. The bars 1E), intermediate their ends,` are connected together by a cross head 18 (Figure 2) l arranged below the slot 55. Each pair of rods 2 extends upwardly through the sleeves .15 of a `bar 13 and carries retaining means 19 (Figure 1) with inwardly extending laterally disposed combined guide and retainers,- (Figureswlandf?) 55 `(Figure 2) opening at the irontvof the plate.

Mounted on the upper portions ofthe standards* 53 in proximity to the lower face of plate 5i are resilient cushioning sleeves 56. V"Ihefplate` 511 extends, as at 51 (Figure 1) rearwardly from `the upper ends of those standards 53 arranged 'adapted to receive a Mounted on and lengtha purpose to bereferred to.

for and through which pass the rods 12. Attached at its forward end to the cross head 18, asat '8l is an elevating and lowering member 82, which is shown by way of example as a chain. Secured upon the rear portion of the top of plate 54 and arranged in housing Gila is a vertical l bracket 83 formed with a pair of upstanding oppositely disposed arms Sli, 85 provided with guide pulleys 85, 81 respectively. The pulley 81 overhangs theopening 55. The member 82 extends up through slot 55 into the housing 6GB, over pulleys 86, 81 and depends from pulley 81 through openingil intothe casing 53. The rear end of member 'B2 is xed, as at 38 to a counterbalance 8S which is slidably mounted on the rods 59. The upper face of the carrier 62 is formed with an endless `rabloet (Figl 5) to provide an endless horizontally disposed seat eiland an endless vertically disposed shoulder QI. The carrier 52 is of such size with relation to the base I5 of the trolley structure to pass through the base when the carrier is raised and lowered. The seat Si) is basket 92 containing the drinking glasses 93 which are to be lowered into the washing compartment or the rinsing and sterilizing compartment. The shoulder SI prevents the lateral shifting of the basket 92 relative to the carrier.

The machine includes latchable vertically movable combined top brush holding, carrying and setting mechanism which comprises a skeleton carrier 94 (Figure 3) having a rectangular' body part consisting of a front member 95, a rear member 95, a pair of side members 91, 98, outwardiy directed inclined arms 99, l, lI and EQ2 integral respectively with the corners ID3, Hill, H15,` lili) of said body part and a transverse brace member at the transverse center of said body part. The said corners are of annular form to provide openings |58 (Figure 6). The side members 51,9% areoi like form and each is provided wlthspaced parallel annular portions IDS, Il() which provide openings lII (Figure 6).

The openings Hi8, III have their walls formed with inwardly extending lugs H2 (Figure 6) for The outer ends of the` arms Sii to IllI have integral therewith semiannular combined guide and retainers II2a (Figures 3 and 6) which ride against the rods 12. The member I'i' is provided with a laterally disposed horizontal arm IIS (Figure 3) intermediate its ends and a pair of upstanding spaced parallel apertured lugs IM at its center. The members 51, 9S centrally of their outer sides are formed with upstanding pairs of spaced apertured lugs H5, lIE respectively which align with the lugs lill.

The said mechanism includes an upstanding automatically latchable vertically movable holding element lll (Figures l and 2) operating through the slot 55 and formed of an intermediate part HI8 upon a rearwardly directed curve, a lower partlIS merging at its top into and extended iorwardly and rearwardly at right angles to the lower end of the part llt and an upper part I2@ merging at its lower end into the upper end of and olset forwardly relative to part IIB.

The part IIS is provided with a vertical slot I2l,

a lateral arm I 22 at its iront spaced from its top and bottom thereof, and has its rear portion positioned between and loosely connected to theV rangedlin superposedlrelationwith respect to arm" H3 of member |01. The part |20 has a reduced portion |23 with the major portion of its inner edge toothed, as at |24. The part |20 is shouldered on its rear edge as at |25 and has its upper end portion reduced to provide a grip |26 to facilitate the shifting of element ||1 when desired to unlatch it.

The said mechanism includes a manually shiftable automatically latchable elevating and lowering device |21 for the carrier 94 and element H1. As the latter is coupled to the carrier 94 it is raised and lowered therewith. The device |21 includes a lever |28 (Figures l and 8) extending upwardly through slot and formed of a yokeshaped part |29 having the inner end portions |30 of its arms |3| bifurcated as at |32. The lever 28 includes an upstanding forwardly inclined handle part |33 anchored at its lower end to the base of the part |29. The arms |3| of the part |29 are formed with aligned openings |34 in proximity to their outer ends. The inner ends of the arms |31 have aligned openings as at |35. Pivotally connected to the arms |3| are depending links |36, |31 (Figure 2) of like form. Each link is formed with a yoke-shaped upper end |38 which straddles an arm ISI of part |29 and is pivotally connected with the latter by a pivot |39 extending through an opening |34. The lower end of link |36 is arranged between the lugs ||5 and pivotally connected with the latter by a pivot |3921. The lower end of link |31 is arranged between the lugs |15 and is pivotally connected with the latter by a pivot |49. The part |29 of lever |28 is normally disposed at a downward inclination from front to rear with respect to plate 54. The latter has depending therefrom in proximity to its rear end a pair of spaced forwardly inclined hangers |4| to the lower ends of which are pivotally connected as at |42 the lower ends of the arms |3|.

The said mechanism includes a compression spring |42 (Figure 1) for the carrier 94 and which also acts as a controlling spring for the elements ||1, |21. The spring |42 is interposed between arms H3 and |22. A keeper |43 is for maintaining the said mechanism in top brush setting position against the action of the spring 42. The keeper |43 (Figure 9) is in the form of a tapered lug depending from the cross hea-d 18 centrally of the front of the latter and it selectively coacts with the teeth |24. A vertical strap |44 (Figure 1) is secured to the central portion of the front of the housing (ita and has projecting forwardly therefrom, near its upper end, an upwardly inclined keeper |45 which coacts with the shoulder 25 to prevent the lowering of the element ||1 and lever |28 when the said mechanism is in inactive position. The strap |44 has projecting forwardly therefrom near its lower end a downwardly inclined keeper |46 which coacts with one of the teeth |24 to prevent the upward movement of the element l1 and lever |28 when the mechanism is in inactive position. When the mechanism is in inactive position, the teeth |24 are arranged above the keeper |43. When the mechanism is to be moved to active position, the element ||1 is iirst swung forwardly on its pivot to provide for the shoulder |25 to clear the keeper |45 after which the lever 28 is swung downwardly on its pivots lowering carrier 94 and element ||1 to the desired extent. As element ||1 is lowered the teeth |24 thereof ride over keeper |43. When downward pressure is relieved on lever |28, the spring |42 acting on arm |22 willv ,cause the keeper |43 to coact with one of the teeth |24 to latch the carrier 94 in position for4 setting the top brushes |41 relative to the glasses 93.

Secured to the front of the cross head 18 is a guide yoke |53 which surrounds and retains the element |1 in proximity to the front of housing a and cross head 18.

With reference to Figures 10 and 11 there is shown a windable spring motor |54 which may be employed, in lieu of the counterbalance 89 for raising the elevator element. The support |54a for the motor |54 is secured in a socket |55 formed in the top plate of the trolley structure. In Figure l0 the elevator is indicated at |56 and the elevating and lowering cable therefor at |51. Figure 11 shows the winding means |58 for the spring |59 of the motor |54. The upper end of the cable |51 is connected to an ear |69 on the drum |6| revolved from the spring |59.

1. In a washing machine of that type including top and bottom brushes, an open bottom trol- -1 ley structure including a top plate, an elevator slidably connected to said structure and including a vertically movable carrier for positioning the work to be acted upon by the brushes of the machine and for removing the Work after being acted upon, said carrier being arranged normally within, capable of passing downwardly through said bottom and guided by said structure, a normally raised latchable combined vertically movable yieldable top brush holding, carrying and setting mechanism arranged within said elevator above said carrier and guided by said elevator, and a linkage connecting said mechanism to said structure below said top plate.

2. In a washing machine of that type including top and bottom brushesan open bottom trolley structure including a top plate, an elevator slidably connected to said structure and including a vertically movable carrier for positioning the Work to be acted upon by the brushes or" the machine and for removing the work after being acted upon, said carrier being arranged normally within, capable of passing downwardly through said bottom and guided by said structure, a normally raised latchable combined vertically movable yieldable top brush holding, carrying and setting mechanism arranged within said elevator above said carrier, guided by said elevator and a linkage for pivotally connecting said mechanism to said structure below said top plate, said mechanism including an upstanding spring urged holding element having a loose connection at its lower end with the remainder of said mechanism, said holding element and elevator having coacting means for latching said mechanism in lower position.

3. In a washing machine of that type including an open top washing compartment andan open top combined rinsing and sterilizing compartment, a trolley for transporting a group of washed glasses from over the open top of the washing compartment to over the open top of the combined rinsing and sterilizing compartment, and a closure for normally closing the open top of the combined rinsing and sterilizing compartment, connected to said trolley and shifted to open position by the latter when the trolley is shifted from over the top of the washing to over the top of the rinsing and sterilizing compartment.

4. In a washing machine, an elevating and lowering structure for lowering work to a position to be acted upon, a vertically movable mechanism for bodily shifting a plurality of cleaners to a position to act upon a part of the work, said mechanism arranged slidable vertically in said structure, a vertically movable upstanding holding element arranged within said structure and loosely connected at its lower end to the said mechanism, shiftable means pivotally connected to saidwstructure and to said mechanism for shifting the mechanism to selective position for the cleaners, said element and structure having coacting means for latching said mechanism in selected positions, and means interposed between said mechanism and the lower end of said element for urging the coacting means on said element against the coacting means on said structure.

5. In a washing machine, an elevator and lowering structure for lowering work to be acted upon and for elevating the work when acted upon, a vertically movable mechanism within said structure for bodily shifting a plurality of yieldable cleaners adapted to be carried thereby to a position to act upon a part of the work, a vertically movable upstanding holding element arranged in said structure having its lower end loosely connected with said mechanism, the said mechanism being formed with an arm, the lower end of said element being formed with Van arm arranged in superposed relation with respect to said other arm, said element and structure having coacting means for latching said mechanism in lowered position, and a spring interposed between said arms to provide for said mechanism being yieldable when in lowered position and for urging the coacting means on said element against the coacting means on said structure.

6. In a washing machine, an elevator, a vertically movable mechanism for bodily shifting a plurality of cleaners to a position to act on the work to be cleaned, a slidably connected verticallym'ovable upstandingholding element for said mechanism, a pin and slot connection between Said mechanism and one end of said element, a shiftable lever for elevating and lowering said mechanism and element in unison, said mechanism, element and lever being arranged in said elevator, said lever being pivotally supported at one end from said elevator, means for pivotally connecting the lever with said mechanism intermediate its ends, means on the elevator and coacting with said element for latching it to maintain said mechanism in a selected position, and means on said mechanism and interposed between said element and mechanism for urging said element against the said coacting means.

7. In a washing machine, an elevator, a vertically movable mechanism for bodily shifting a plurality of cleaners to a position to act upon work to be cleaned, a slidably connected vertically movable upstanding holding element for said mechanism, a pin and slot connection bctween said mechanism and one end of said element, a shiftable lever for elevating and lowering said mechanism and element in unison, said mechanism, element and lever being arranged in said elevator, said lever being pivotally supported at one end from said elevator, means for pivotally connecting the lever with said mechanism intermediate its ends, means on the elevator and coacting with said element for latching it to maintain said mechanism in selected position, means on said mechanism and interposed between said element and mechanism for urging said element against the said coacting means, and meansY on the elevator and coacting'with said element for latching it to arrest the upward and downward movement of said mechanism when thelatter is in normal or inactive position.

8. In a washing machine of the character described, a trolley structure, an elevator structure carried thereby for the work to be cleaned, a vertically movable combined holding, carrying and positioning mechanism for a plurality of cleaners arranged within said elevator structure, said elevator structure being provided with means coacting with a part of said mechanism for latching the latter in Working position, and said trolley structure being pro-vided with means coacting with the said part of said mechanism for latching the mechanism in non-working position.

9. In a washing machine of the character Ydescribed, a trolley structure, an elevator structure carried thereby for the work to be cleaned, a vertically movable combined holding, carrying and positioning mechanism for a plurality of cleaners arranged within said elevator structure, said elevator structure being provided with means coacting with a part of said mechanism for latching the latter in working position, and said trolley structure being provided with means coacting with the said part of said mechanism for latching the mechanism in non-working position, the said part of said mechanism being upstanding, having a loose pivotal connection at its lower end-spring controlled and slidably connected to the elevator structure.

ANDERS R. LOFSTRAND, SR. 

